Sushil Hari International Residential Girls & Boys Higher Secondary School - CBSE (AFFILIATED)
-The Gurukulam of the 21st century with Eastern Traditional Values and Western Progressive Techniques
Human beings revolt against anything that is forced on them. Children are born intelligent, but when parents and teachers force them to study, their system revolts. Yet, only their performance in studies determines their livelihood. This can be achieved by inculcating in them the love for studies akin to their natural interest in sports.
That is exactly what SushilHari International School seems to be aiming at. We noticed that students of this school are encouraged to love what they study, and not under duress of any exam or homework. SushilHari School attempts to manifest the best in your child with a highly interactive way of education with more of video presentations and field work instead of mere homework and examinations. The school children are strengthened with not just academic knowledge but become well-developed personalities, awakened to their hidden talents in arts: like music - both vocal and instrumental, dance, classical and western, yoga, the Vedas im
parted to everyone without any distinction of caste or gender, meditation, swimming, sports and they are also trained in handling small electrical works, carpentry, masonry, routine banking and insurance transactions, which are required for practical day-to-day living.
This is part of SushilHari school's practical life (man-building) activities. Children are introduced to satsang (company of good persons). They come to understand that prayer is a means to express their love for God; and that God is not to be feared but to be loved. This is part of God-making activities.
And this school is not second home, as the popular adage goes, but is very much the first home itself! Wonder how? You will agree with this when you learn that the school is so meticulously planned; the classrooms have attached toilets. Makes you feel that SushilHari School does confer real parental care on your child, right from basic amenities that are requisite for your child. And that seems to be just the beginning of what the school has to offer!
The school is part of the 'SreeRamarajya' commune at Kelambakkam, set amidst the bountiful blessings of nature. The commune houses 300 families, has a common kitchen managed by volunteers that caters to the breakfast, lunch and dinner needs of the residents including the hostel children, at a very nominal cost. The food is hygienic and nutritious.
There is a gym on the premises that helps the residents tone up their physique. And mental harmony is nurtured by free yoga classes and meditation in the serene meditation hall. In fact the whole environment overflows with such blissful serenity not easily available in the outside world.
Dr. Jayalakshmi Jagannathan, Former Deputy Commissioner, KVS and Academic consultant, Central Board of Secondary Education puts it this way, ' A wonderful location, a calm and serene atmosphere. The school is ideally located for learning.'
A library nourishes those minds yearning to further their knowledge. There is a laboratory well-stocked with equipment to tap the ingenuity in each child. The School plans to establish a science centre to nurture the creativity of children. The Commune has its own theme parks, vegetable gardens, departmental store and post office. There is transport facility to ply people to their offices, colleges. And internet facilities and video conferencing too!
It is pleasant to watch the children grow up in a school that nurtures their love for studies. Since the school is part of the commune described, the children retain the feeling of being amidst aunts, uncles and cousins who care for them; a blessing indeed for parents as this bridges the gap that is created by the present-day situation, where both parents need to work to earn a living and so, find it difficult to devote much time for their children. The living pattern of the commune inmates helps the school children from pining for the love of their parents. This prevents them from deviating from the normal path.
Children learn the dignity of labour, washing their own plates and keeping their places tidy; they also learn to respect elders. These form part of the moral education imparted to the children on a practical plane. And students, who have the need to fine-tune their learning skills, benefit immensely from the extra coaching classes conducted free of cost.
There is no dearth of religious activities at the commune. The commune houses Temples of all prime Hindu deities, Church for the Good Shepherd, a Mosque, Jain temple and a Buddha Vihar –- abode to a brass Buddha come all the way from Thailand. These impress upon the children that God manifests Himself in various forms, and so, children are able to rise above distinctions of caste and religion.
For more details, visit the website of SushilhariSchool
What inspired Baba to start the school? - in HIS own words
I am a practical philosopher. I have my own visions for the future. We had some additional infrastructure that could be utilized. I had the possibility of starting a youth hostel, working women’s hostel and old-age home apart from a school.
I felt the time is not yet ripe for setting up a youth hostel and working women’s hostel; if people joining there are not of a basic positive mould, it would turn into a perennial headache for us.
I have been into this spiritual service since 1988 and have found that transforming elders is an arduous 
task. I have given my very best. I cared for each one of them. I motivated them. Trying to make the grown-ups unlearn became an unproductive process. They were comfortable with a particular way of thinking and found it difficult to take a different course. This frustration made me change my system of working. I felt it would be easier to mould youngsters. This was one reason for starting the school. ‘Catching them young’ and inculcating values in them.
I was not inclined to start an old-age home either. There was a possibility that the place will be afflicted with the negative thoughts of some elders who may have the habit of worrying over everything. At the initial stage, people with positive thoughts/open mind are required. Youth suits the purpose better. This was another reason.
Thirdly, most of the volunteers I trained over the years have settled overseas or elsewhere. I am running short of volunteers. The school was a way of motivating children into prospective volunteers.
Only time will prove whether my approach is right or wrong.
If you analyze, you will understand that no where else is education imparted with such comforts and at such nominal rates. And we will be giving them the best.
Every one of our school children is shaping into a multifaceted personality, master of many trades! Like our Samratchana youngsters who have been trained already and have carved a niche for themselves in the outside world, these children too will make a tremendous impact on society.
We have arranged special remedial classes for our hostel students to enhance their inherent capabilities; an unheard-of concept in boarding schools.
Elders are determined not to get transformed. So I am concentrating on our future leaders; I have a vision for at least 2000 children. My vision has always come true. I will be proud of every one of those children who live up to my value system.
That is why I started the school. I wanted to do something good for the future of India. And the future is not you and I.
Look at India in three stages: the earlier generation, which fought for freedom, and whose members are now running from pillar to post for receiving their pension. Then they have to present evidence of their sacrifices. This is the sad state of affairs now.
The next generation that has grown during the 54 years of Independent India has miserably failed in its duty to the nation. India of such an ancient heritage is in a very pitiable condition now. Malaysia and Singapore are extremely successful nations these days, and remember they were given individual identity long after India’s freedom. The excuse we give for our plight is ‘excess population’. Ridiculous! China has a larger population than ours, but is it not a world leader today? Chinese exports hold a major share of the export market. Chinese goods are sold in every country; such is their quality. Chinese are respected wherever they go.
We, Indians, are scorned; we stooped down discarding our personal sense of honour. We have failed in our duty. At least now, we need to nurture a prosperous nation. The next generation is our only hope for a bright future. The only way to mould them is to conduct a school that would nurture their value system in the right direction.
Earlier, grandparents used to narrate stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha (Epics) and also the Panchatantra and tales of kings like Harishchandra, which instilled in the child a sense of values. Nowadays, these grandparents have been interned in old-age homes, or forced to work past retirement age. They are in no position to feed the child’s inquisitive mind. Both the parents having to work for a living do not have time for their children. And if the teacher is money-minded, there ends the child’s growth. Education today has become highly commercialized. And the external environment is also not conducive for imbibing values, what with entertainment channels, print media and politics diverting the children onto a wrong track. Every sphere of activity seems to have its own failings. So who takes responsibility for the child’s growth?
It is this thought that propelled me to start a school, to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow to delve into the ancient heritage of our nation.
The need of today is a value-based education that will lead the children on to the right path, shielding them from the negative effects of cinema, gossip, politics and the like. I had the conviction that we could impart such education, with the right mix of materialism and spirituality, to shape youngsters into fine human beings who will do the nation proud. I will never compromise on what I envisage. It is for the children, the parents and the teachers to fulfill the objective.
Today’s education does not bring out the hidden talents in your children. To quote from Bernard Shaw, ‘The educational institutions are places where diamonds are dimmed and pebbles are polished’. This is the piteous condition of our institutions today.
Children are forced to carry a heavy load of books, regardless of relevance; they have periodic unit tests and their homework is done by their parents. Children’s lives have become mechanical and they have started nurturing a hatred for school life. The same children relish reading ‘Amar Chitra Katha’ stories at night, because these books are interesting.
So why have you not made the study lessons too, interesting? If you are able to create lessons as interesting as story books are, would not the children be eager to learn? A child that is able to view TV programmes till 12:00 midnight, would definitely learn lessons taught through the same medium.
We have introduced a new education plan.
Your child need not rush to catch the van in the morning.
I have created a paradise at Kelambakkam. Your children will stay there, wake up in the morning to the music of the birds and nature’s motherly touch, they will participate in the Yagna there, do some body building exercises at our well-equipped gym. They will get fresh milk from our dairy farm, good food cooked in healthy surroundings that will take care of their physical well being. They will be given excellent education. They will also have lot of spare time to play at our vast playground.
They will not ‘bear the burden of books on their shoulders’. They will not have the burden of examination. They will be assessed on what they learn.
For instance, when you were young, you were taught ‘There was 165 cm. rainfalls at Darjeeling’. For all you knew, Darjeeling could have been an elephant or a horse! You did not know what 165 cm. meant. You will recite by rote, ‘Emperor Asoka planted trees’ and be awarded cent percent marks
An education that never allowed you to understand what you were taught. A B.Com. Graduate may not know to fill up a money order form or a credit coupon. A B.E. graduate would be at loss to rectify a fuse. What sort of education is this?
In our School, our children will learn whatever is required for a full fledged personality. They will know painting, dance, music, yoga, karate, carpenting, plumbing, foreign languages; they will be chiseled into total personalities ready to face the world and swim against the current, if need be. Their school desk education will be for five hours only. Rest of the time, they will learn to master other topics. The latent potential in each student will be tapped - gently but firmly.
Our aim is to make children totally able, self-confident citizens. I have brought the best books, audio cassettes from across the world. I have set up an in house theatre, a readymade swimming pool. Your children will start loving school and will want to stay back even during holidays.
I have created this school on such a psychological plane.
Samratchana is growing into a huge establishment. It is gaining international recognition. Keep Watching! The time is soon coming when people will want to employ our Samratchana children. Already people are eager to take Samratchana girls as their brides. Samratchana children do not look down on any type of work. They maintain their houses well, they polish chappals. They do not entertain anger. They are very patient. So our children have a great demand in the marriage market.
So also, employers would want to employ Samratchana students, because these children would be brought up well and capable of doing any type of work. They would have been trained on every skill necessary for a human being.